While riding down the Green River Trail Friday, I came across a number of wonderful finds. One was a nest of ospreys along the bank near the Codiga Farm Park. A local birder told me I had just missed the parents swooping in moments before to feed the young. Just seeing them surveying their river domain was enough for me!

I pedaled farther south past Foster Golf Links and Fort Dent Park to the intersection of the Green River Trail and the Interurban Trail. The air was warming from the summer sun, but still cool coming off of the river. Just on the other side of I-405, I got to attend the groundbreaking of the Southcenter Pedestrian Bridge.

Just south of the Best Western Hotel off West Valley Highway, the City of Tukwila is constructing a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the Green River. Slated to be completed in 2017, this new bridge will allow for a connection between Tukwila’s Urban Center, the Green River Trail, and the Sounder/Amtrak station.

A variety of agencies were represented at the ground breaking, including King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, State Representative Zach Hudgins, Washington Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar, Tukwila Mayor Allan Ekberg, and other members of the Tukwila City Council, as well as the event host Jean Thompson, Owner and CEO of Tukwila-based Seattle Chocolates.

It’s great to see renewed focus on transportation alternatives that will serve a variety of users and tie together different types of travel. I left the event feeling hopeful and invigorated as I pedaled back north along the Green River Trail.